Alderwoman Lois Bressette is seeking re-election to the Clintonville City Council for District 4 in the Tuesday, April 7 general election.
She won the seat in November when she defeated Alderman Greg Rose in a recall election.
There are no official candidates running against Bressette in this election.
To help inform voters where the candidates stand on the issues concerning Clintonville, the Clintonville Tribune-Gazette asked Bressette a series of questions. The questions and her responses are listed below.
What are the three most important issues facing the city of Clintonville?
Bressette: 1. No strategic or long range plan. 2. Lack of economic development. 3. Poor Image.
If elected, what would you do to find solutions to those issues?
Bressette: In collaboration with the newly formed Housing Committee, I would still like to work on combining this committee into one and recruit additional members from the city, schools, local business and industry. The goal of this new committee would be to work on a long range plan for the city and come up with ideas for economic development for our industrial park. We still have some work to do to improve the image of our city. We need positive council members who are willing to move our city forward.
What are your ideas to fix Clintonville’s budget problem?
Bressette: Continue to support and nurture our relationships with business and industry in our industrial park. Work toward increasing our tax base by encouraging business and industry to grow and expand within our industrial park. We need to explore options of collaborating with other municipalities for services and to save money.
What do you think the city should do with the outdoor swimming pool?
Bressette: I am extremely disappointed that the swimming pool referendum for the April 7 ballot failed. City residents were denied a voice in this process by not having the opportunity to vote. The results of the referendum would have been valuable to the city in making decisions for the future of the swimming pool. Without being able to draw from the results of a referendum, I think the city should do whatever is necessary to keep the city swimming pool open.
What do you think the city should do with the Rec. Center building?
Bressette: I think the city should research whether the Rec Center building qualifies as a historical site. If so, apply for grant funding to help finance the needed upgrades. We need to keep the Rec Center open as a place for people to gather for recreation and attend social activities.
What is it going to take to create harmony between both the council and the citizens of Clintonville?
Bressette: A way to create harmony between the council and citizens is transparency and giving citizens a voice. Three council members voted against a referendum for the swimming pool. This would have been the perfect opportunity to give city residents a voice on how to proceed with the swimming pool. I believe the voice of the public has the right to be heard. The voice of the public needs to be heard.
Why should voters elect you?
Bressette: I won a historic recall election. Voters in District Four were given the opportunity to re-vote and they elected me. I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to once again represent District Four. I have experience having served on city council for over two years and serve on several committee/boards. I will continue to work hard for my district, toward creating more transparency in our city government and continue to work toward giving the citizens of Clintonville a voice.